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Alan Ericsson #1
Sprouting Wings: The First Novel in the Alan Ericsson Series
Filled with the sights and sounds of the pre-World War II era, Sprouting Wings (the first novel in the Alan Ericsson series) pulls readers into the tensions of the daily life of our military men and women. From working with new equipment to working with the US Navys diverse populationand strong egosfew punches are pulled as Alan finds himself riding the forefront of technology.
438 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2014
53 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 16, 2023
A strong book set just prior to WWII. I recommend to WEB Griffin fans and WWII enthusiasts.
January 25, 2020
Good story
Good story and basic plot. Not great. Characters well developed. I would recommend to s reader not very familiar with pre war U.S. and some of the popular and strategic thoughts.Pre war planes and their capabilities and characteristics are well described. The book details process one would go through to be a carrier pilot and how a new pilolt.might think and feel along the way as he works through the success and failures, questions his abilities and winds his way through navy politics Of course, there's a woman in his life and his that relates to his job as a pilot and the realities of a relationship as war appears on the horizon
Good story and basic plot. Not great. Characters well developed. I would recommend to s reader not very familiar with pre war U.S. and some of the popular and strategic thoughts.Pre war planes and their capabilities and characteristics are well described. The book details process one would go through to be a carrier pilot and how a new pilolt.might think and feel along the way as he works through the success and failures, questions his abilities and winds his way through navy politics Of course, there's a woman in his life and his that relates to his job as a pilot and the realities of a relationship as war appears on the horizon
December 16, 2014
Henry Faulkner’s new series is off to a flying start with "Sprouting Wings"!
In the first installment of the Alan Ericsson series, Faulkner tells the story of a young man and the start of his Navy flying career. You will be immersed into the lives of military men and women, witness their struggles and triumphs in everything from Flight Training to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Written with incredible detail and following historical fact closely, it is an intriguing tale of military life - and love - at the beginning of World War II.
In the first installment of the Alan Ericsson series, Faulkner tells the story of a young man and the start of his Navy flying career. You will be immersed into the lives of military men and women, witness their struggles and triumphs in everything from Flight Training to the attack on Pearl Harbor. Written with incredible detail and following historical fact closely, it is an intriguing tale of military life - and love - at the beginning of World War II.
May 25, 2020
Alan Ericsson is a character who you can learn to really like. From early in the book, I was drawn in by both the pureness of the character and the technical approach to flying in the book. In Sprouting Wings, Faulkner explores the nature of early US warcraft, the American challenge of committing to preparing for war, the euphoria of the life after the depression, and the nature of life in the Navy in the developing days of aviation. All of this is wonderfully compelling to me as I devoured the story.
Interestingly, Ericsson is at first a submariner. While I was a bit confused at first because this was a book about Naval Aviation, it quickly became clear that the Ericsson would make the change to flying due to his experience in the sinking of his submarine. This adds to understanding the mind of a naval pilot, as Ericsson has to rethink his career plans, as many of the early aviators might have. Even after WWI, many people did not see aviation as much more than sport or fun. By Ericsson coming to aviation through change, it makes his story more real and compelling. His doubts about his ability and transition lead him to be more careful and critical as he grows and his character grows. Similarly, his falling in love and marrying of Jennifer provides an outlet for explanation and technical understanding as he has to explain to her his experiences, which provide the reader with a reflective opportunity to understand his mindset and the nature of early flying challenges. Compared to so many other stories I have read or watched about Armed Foces pilots who were naturally gifted, Ericsson's humble start in aviation is refreshing and, perhaps, more realistic. That he struggles, makes mistakes, and is doubtful of his ability and reflective of his experiences makes for a better understanding of his compelling story.
I definitely recommend this book and have already purchased the second in the series, Slow but Deadly, and look forward to getting reading. Also, it is also nice that the author is writing about a plane and pilot who are not the swashbuckling raiders of the skies (fighter pilots) or the legendary B-17 flying fortress. As a kid, the slower, not so flashy Dauntless planes were not very impressive to me and I often wondered why anyone would want to fly a slow dive bomber. Now I have some insight into this world of aviation and can understand a bit about this. It is also part of the story that Ericsson wanted to be in fighters but was assigned dive bombers and learned to love his plane, comrades, and craft.
If you enjoy aviation, naval technology, and military history, I am sure that you will enjoy this read.
Interestingly, Ericsson is at first a submariner. While I was a bit confused at first because this was a book about Naval Aviation, it quickly became clear that the Ericsson would make the change to flying due to his experience in the sinking of his submarine. This adds to understanding the mind of a naval pilot, as Ericsson has to rethink his career plans, as many of the early aviators might have. Even after WWI, many people did not see aviation as much more than sport or fun. By Ericsson coming to aviation through change, it makes his story more real and compelling. His doubts about his ability and transition lead him to be more careful and critical as he grows and his character grows. Similarly, his falling in love and marrying of Jennifer provides an outlet for explanation and technical understanding as he has to explain to her his experiences, which provide the reader with a reflective opportunity to understand his mindset and the nature of early flying challenges. Compared to so many other stories I have read or watched about Armed Foces pilots who were naturally gifted, Ericsson's humble start in aviation is refreshing and, perhaps, more realistic. That he struggles, makes mistakes, and is doubtful of his ability and reflective of his experiences makes for a better understanding of his compelling story.
I definitely recommend this book and have already purchased the second in the series, Slow but Deadly, and look forward to getting reading. Also, it is also nice that the author is writing about a plane and pilot who are not the swashbuckling raiders of the skies (fighter pilots) or the legendary B-17 flying fortress. As a kid, the slower, not so flashy Dauntless planes were not very impressive to me and I often wondered why anyone would want to fly a slow dive bomber. Now I have some insight into this world of aviation and can understand a bit about this. It is also part of the story that Ericsson wanted to be in fighters but was assigned dive bombers and learned to love his plane, comrades, and craft.
If you enjoy aviation, naval technology, and military history, I am sure that you will enjoy this read.
December 8, 2023
Engaging Read
First of all, this is a well researched tale. The details concerning a particular aircraft's appearance plus its handling characteristics brings the reader into the cockpit where the pilot's perspective is also familiarizing the reader to what the pilot is experiencing. That said, the characters are presented and behave like normal people not perfect but with strengths and weaknesses. Additionally the story is engaging and the reader is concerned about their lives and their fates. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.
First of all, this is a well researched tale. The details concerning a particular aircraft's appearance plus its handling characteristics brings the reader into the cockpit where the pilot's perspective is also familiarizing the reader to what the pilot is experiencing. That said, the characters are presented and behave like normal people not perfect but with strengths and weaknesses. Additionally the story is engaging and the reader is concerned about their lives and their fates. I am looking forward to reading the entire series.
January 1, 2019
Good Read for the Time Period
I enjoyed the overall storyline and details relating to flying and aircraft. The human interest was true to the social standards of the time, but the author missed the description of the personal lives. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys reading about WWII from a more factional view!
I enjoyed the overall storyline and details relating to flying and aircraft. The human interest was true to the social standards of the time, but the author missed the description of the personal lives. I would recommend to anyone that enjoys reading about WWII from a more factional view!
December 15, 2019
Great book
The story is told in a way that puts you right in the middle of the action. Great descriptions of everything the subject of the story is feeling. A great start to a WW2 story.
The story is told in a way that puts you right in the middle of the action. Great descriptions of everything the subject of the story is feeling. A great start to a WW2 story.
February 4, 2020
Technically perfect and horribly written
I lasted about twenty pages, the dialog is stilted, there’s really poor scene setting, sorry I wasted money on it, never again from this guy, he writes like a high school kid
I lasted about twenty pages, the dialog is stilted, there’s really poor scene setting, sorry I wasted money on it, never again from this guy, he writes like a high school kid
April 24, 2023
Could Not Put it Down
Excellent book and I cannot wait to get the rest of the series. I have the Kindle version, but photos is the aircraft at the end are very helpful. Reference to the N3N, even in passing, was a nice touch.
Excellent book and I cannot wait to get the rest of the series. I have the Kindle version, but photos is the aircraft at the end are very helpful. Reference to the N3N, even in passing, was a nice touch.
February 23, 2020
Jlturner3829@aol.com
This was good read. I rarely enjoyed the story and the history. I was a pilot for forty years and I could feel the the excitement of flying again.
This was good read. I rarely enjoyed the story and the history. I was a pilot for forty years and I could feel the the excitement of flying again.
May 27, 2015
What was it really like to be a carrier pilot at the onset of WWII? In this first installment of the Alan Ericsson series, Faulkner provides a level of insight that is rarely seen in historical fiction. His attention to factual details in the gradual training process for a naval aviator gives the reader a real feel for the anxiety and excitement that each step of the process causes. The authors pilot experience comes through in this meticulously researched novel. Even the annoying tendency for Dauntless dive bomber pilots to knock their heads on the bomb-sight is included. Another rarely told story brought to life is the use of aircraft carriers to protect the Atlantic convoys from German U-boats. Faulkner also delves into the personal conflicts between Alan Ericsson and his fellow squadron pilots. In this first in series novel Alan trains, crashes his plane and strikes at the enemy all before the attack of December 7, 1941 arrives. Can't wait for the next in series book! I give Sprouting Wings an Excellent Read.
June 25, 2015
Goodreads Signed Copy Win
This is the story of Alan Ericsson right before the attack on Pearl Harbor. How he meets his future wife and his learning to fly for the Navy. How she manages to ends up in Pearl Harbor when the attack occurs.
It showcases the struggle of military families and the separation they must endure to protect their country for everyone. What they must endure even in their own secluded group and the prejudices along the way. Only sparse letters at times are the only communication that is available and their only contact with the outside world.
Life is never easy as we watch them living day to day. We wonder what the future has install for our hero as war is now inevitable
This is the story of Alan Ericsson right before the attack on Pearl Harbor. How he meets his future wife and his learning to fly for the Navy. How she manages to ends up in Pearl Harbor when the attack occurs.
It showcases the struggle of military families and the separation they must endure to protect their country for everyone. What they must endure even in their own secluded group and the prejudices along the way. Only sparse letters at times are the only communication that is available and their only contact with the outside world.
Life is never easy as we watch them living day to day. We wonder what the future has install for our hero as war is now inevitable
October 22, 2015
I won this book through the giveaways. It is wonderfully detailed historical fiction about pre WWII pilots. A lot of fun.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews